Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, says the country lost over N1.3 billion following an outbreak of tuta absoluta, also known as the tomato leaf miner or tomato Ebola, in three states.
The minister shared this information at a workshop in Abuja, aimed at helping financial institutions to better support farmers.
The workshop was organized by HortiNigeria, in partnership with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).
Kyari explained that the outbreak of the disease in the three states of Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna has caused the price of a basket of tomatoes to double from about N5,000 to as high as N30,000.
He emphasized that the situation highlights how vulnerable Nigeria’s agriculture, particularly the growing of fruits and vegetables, really is.
According to him, the tomato Ebola can ruin a tomato crop in just two days, leading to significant losses for farmers.
The minister stressed the need for better pest control methods, investments in stronger crop varieties, and more support for farmers to protect the food supply in the country.
Tomatoes and peppers are vital ingredients in many Nigerian dishes, and when their prices go up, it impacts the cost of meals in homes, restaurants, and food vendors across the country.
Statistics have shown that tomato prices have surged by an incredible 320 percent in just one year, with pepper prices following closely behind.
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Kyari described the growing of fruits, vegetables, and flowers as a major opportunity for economic growth, job creation, and better nutrition.
“With urbanization and rising interest in healthy eating, consumer demand for fresh produce is growing rapidly, and this sector can meet that challenge.
“Despite its challenges, horticulture is one of the most promising areas for improving agriculture in Nigeria.
“Unlike traditional farming, it allows for higher earnings per plot of land, quicker harvest cycles, and the possibility of multiple harvests each year,” he asserted.
Kyari pointed out that horticulture can help farmers diversify what they grow and secure reliable incomes, going beyond the usual grains they have relied on.
He encouraged financial institutions to familiarize themselves with the entire process of getting horticultural products from farms to consumers.
The minister urged financial institutions to move past the generic lending approaches and create tailored financial products that align with the specific needs of farmers at different stages of growing and selling their crops.
